Why did you choose to serve at Black Forest Academy?
Black Forest Academy had always been on my radar due to a family alumni and a family friend who taught here, but I never pictured myself teaching overseas. It wasn’t until my senior year of college, during an online seminar, that the idea of teaching abroad was proposed. This sparked my interest, so I clicked on the provided link, and the second job on the list of openings was, “French Teacher at Black Forest Academy”. Overwhelming peace and nudging from the Lord led me to apply, and a few months after graduating, I boarded a plane for Basel.

French language and culture was something I was always passionate about growing up. What started in a cultural immersive course for elementary students led to years of fascination and curiosity. My hope is that my students will experience the beauty and complexity of French culture, and that their eyes would be opened to how they can use their French skills to further the Kingdom.

How do you incorporate a biblical worldview into your classroom?
When approaching discussions on Francophone culture, my Biblical worldview serves as the filter through which we engage, discover, and learn about the French people and their cultural practices. We also learn Bible verses in French each unit; this is a fantastic avenue for students to expand their vocabulary and sentence structure knowledge, while also memorizing God’s Word in their hearts.

What is your favorite thing about the town of Kandern?
My favorite thing about Kandern is the charming storybook-like architecture and the small-town atmosphere. I always feel right at home when coming back to Kandern after a day away, or a trip back to the States. The calm, inviting, and safe atmosphere is something I cherish and try not to take for granted.

What memory stands out to you most about your time here at Black Forest Academy? One memory that stands out was taking my French 3 class to Paris this past February. I will never forget the joy of hearing my students engage with locals, getting excited about having impromptu, fully French conversations with shopkeepers, and watching some experience Paris for the very first time. As a college student, I dreamed of taking my French classes to Paris, but never thought this dream could become a reality. I am so thankful for the opportunity to provide my students with an experience and memories that will hopefully last a lifetime!